The chunky sweater has been having its fashion moment for a year now. Junya Watanabe and Rei Kawakubo‘s Comme des Garcons took the trend and made it art on Saturday. (Viktor & Rolf did, too, but went with an unchunky version). I couldn’t help thinking that the Comme hats were exactly what we all need in the polar vortex-layers upon layers of stuffed sweaters. Junya’s coats — as if Burberry went on an acid trip — were likewise a breath of fresh air in a sea of cable knits.

Good collection — bad collection? With these designers, the point is irrelevant. No normal human being will wear most of those clothes, and yes, they’re fantastic. The golf shirts most consumers are likely to buy were on the runway, but — and here’s the point — isn’t it cool to be able to buy a golf shirt designed by a great artist?

Rihanna was at Comme des Garcons, generating plenty of gossipy questions. Yes, she could have done herself a favor without the bunny-eared knit cap. Moments later, she raced to the 19th arrondissement to witness Jean Paul Gaultier‘s space age ode to the 90s — another moment well meant and misguided.

Haider Ackermann could have done with out the fake thunder and the drop-crotch looks. He simply doesn’t do more theatrics for his spectacularly tailored clothing. Lined cotton sweatshirts, floor-dragging wool pants, and double-or -triple peplums turned skirts into playground equipment. Designer Olivier Theyskens watched from the front row — supporting his fellow Belgian.

About Speakeasy

Speakeasy is a blog covering media, entertainment, celebrity and the arts. The publication is produced by Barbara Chai and Jonathan Welsh with contributions from the Wall Street Journal staff and others. Write to us at speakeasy@wsj.com or follow us on Twitter at @WSJSpeakeasy or individually @barbarachai.